177 3rd Ave NW, Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 587-1000
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a non-profit veterans organization that was chartered in the Hutchinson area in 1982. There are 31 chapters throughout the state of Minnesota. As of now there are 410 members from the Hutchinson area that covers about a 30-mile radius. The group is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling the promises made to the men and women who served. They are building better lives for the men and women that served their country by providing FREE assistance in obtaining different benefits they earned while serving. In addition, they have an Auxiliary that works right alongside the DAV in everything they do – together as one!
If you’ve seen little green bins placed throughout the community, then you’ve seen the DAV and Auxiliary collection boxes. They collect clothing, shoes, leather goods, and small household goods including pots & pans, silverware, dishes and other nik-naks in these bins. The DAV supports green efforts by keeping these items out of landfills and recycling them through thrift stores in the metro area. The DAV is then paid by these thrift stores and all of the income goes back to into our community to help take care of our local veterans and their families.
In addition to assisting with veteran benefits and collecting various donations, the DAV and auxiliary provide transportation to and from medical appointments, free of charge. They own and operate four handicap vehicles and two ambulatory vehicles. They do accept donations if the patient is able and willing to do so. They also have what they call a “donor connect program” which involves loaning handicap equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, crutches, walkers, and almost any kind of handicap equipment you can imagine to veterans, family members and other members of the public. They have such an abundance of this equipment and are happy to loan it to people, with the intention that it is returned when they no longer need it. These items are also accepted as a donation to the DAV and Auxiliary if people are able to do so!
This is strictly a volunteer operation. The DAV and Auxiliary has volunteers that complete office work, clothing collections, cleaning, transporting patients, delivering handicap equipment, and repairing equipment when possible; they have absolutely no on a payroll. Consider volunteering or donating to the DAV and supporting your local veterans!
